A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov

This second novel by Kolosov stars Miranda Molyneux, a 16 year old noble who has recently lost her father in Ireland which leaves her family heavily in debt, and ending her engagement to fellow impoverished noble Henry Raleigh. Hoping to make a better life for her, Miranda's mother sends her to live with her father's cousin John Hardwood, Earl of Turbury and his wife. The move proves a bit of a shock to Miranda, as she goes from a home full of affection, love, gentleness, and laughter to one of strictness, rigidness, coldness, and severe piety. The day comes when the Countess takes Miranda to court to be a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth who has a bitter past with her mother (and is also her cousin). It isn't long before Miranda discovers how perilous and shifty court life is, and her natural way with stitchery and embroidery soon garners a clique of enemies among her fellow ladies, even one who was supposed to be her friend. Adding to this is the Earl and Countess trying to match her with the loathsome Lord Seagrave for their benefit and the return into her life of Henry, her former betrothed. After an impromptu fixing of a dress borrowed after hers goes missing on the day she's to meet with the queen, Miranda gets the opportunity to free herself from the announcement of her betrothal to Lord Seagrave...but will it work out the way she hoped? Though written for young adults, the writing is good, despite the slightly predicting ending. The story is good too, and makes for a light, fun read.  I give "A Sweet Disorder" 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Daily Medieval Life Books

For those with a more medieval bent, here's some books you may want to check out if you haven't already:
The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer
Daily Life in the Middle Ages by Paul B. Newman
Daily Life in Chaucer's England by Jeffrey L. Singman and Will McLean
Daily Life in Medieval Europe by Jeffrey L. Singman
These are, of course, but a few. However, should you want to pursue more, these are a great starting point! Happy reading!

Renaissance Dances

Some lovely videos I found on Youtube...enjoy!

Renaissance Consort Number 5
Renaissance Consort Number 7
Renaissance Dance: Branle du Chandelier
Renaissance Dance - Branle de Champaigne
Grimstock - Tanzgruppe Domenico

The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I bring you my review of this lovely novel by the bestselling author Karen Harper. It tells the story of Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald, a young woman born into a high Irish family with ties to royalty on both sides: her mother was Elizabeth Grey, a granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville, and her father was a cousin to King Henry VIII by his first marriage. It begins in 1533, with 10 year old Gera's world changing forever when her father is arrested then dies in the Tower of London and her family is separated. She then manages to escape to England and becomes a refugee in Henry's court where she bides her time managing the machinations of court life, try to rally support to restore her family, and take revenge on the King. Along the way, she harbors a secret love for a courtier and looks out for Henry's daughter Princess Elizabeth. As with most of Harper's writing, the story is both descriptive and fluid which makes for pleasant reading. It also gives a glimpse into the life a remarkable woman not many people has heard of. A must read for not only Tudor/renaissance lovers, but ones of anything Irish as well. I give "The Irish Princess" 4 out of 5 stars.

Tudor Costume and Fashion by Herbert Norris

I found this book at faire a few years ago and after having a look at it immediately knew I had to have it. So not long after I placed an order through the late Borders and have been enjoying it ever since. Absolutely bursting with black and white illustrations and a 22 page color insert, this doorstop thick book goes in depth about what folks from the height of nobility down to beggars and even a jester wore from the reign of Henry VII down to Elizabeth I. While it doesn't give instructions on how to make things yourself (sorry to all you sewers out there), the book is nonetheless one costume fetishists will no doubt want in their library. Even if you don't end up reading all of it (and I don't blame you if you don't, it's a huge 832 page read), pouring over the clothing eye candy every now and again definitely doesn't hurt, and maybe it'll inspire a new outfit for your faire visits this season! I give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.